Sg govt forget that NS IS FUNDAMENTALLY UNSOUND

SAF procedures for vehicles are "fundamentally sound": Defence Minister

SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean said procedures at the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for vehicle mounting and starting are fundamentally sound.

He said that the fatal incident in July 2009 at Seletar Camp could have been prevented if the driver had followed them.

Mr Teo was replying to a question in Parliament on the case of two tragic deaths of servicemen as a result of reversing SAF vehicles.

The second incident happened on January 28 this year, killing a Lance Corporal.

The SAF, Mr Teo said, has reminded its vehicle commanders and drivers to adhere strictly to procedures before mounting and starting any vehicle.

Speaking about the first incident, Mr Teo said: "A Committee of Inquiry convened to investigate the incident found that the driver of the vehicle had been negligent in his duties as a driver, and had failed to follow the correct vehicle mounting and starting procedures.

"At the time of incident, only the driver of the vehicle and the motor transport officer, who was the vehicle commander, were at the vehicle...the driver of the vehicle was subsequently charged in Court for causing death by doing a negligent act not amounting to culpable homicide. He pleaded guilty and was fined $5,000 and disqualified from driving all vehicles for four years"

And when the second incident happened last month, the SAF immediately ordered a safety time-out that same day, for unit commanders to go through with all vehicle commanders and drivers vehicular safety drills and procedures.

The time-out allowed each unit to re-focus on the tasks, safety drills and procedures pertaining to the use of military vehicles.

Mr Teo said: "MINDEF takes the safety and well-being of our servicemen very seriously. Although the prescribed safety procedures are fundamentally sound, we must continue to do better to make sure that they are followed. This includes regular reminders to those responsible for operating vehicles.

"However, safety procedures cannot cover every specific situation that may arise. Therefore, it is also important that every serviceman looks out for the safety of his men, his buddies and himself."

-CNA/ac




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